Convertible trunk.



No. 776,738. 127777377731) DEG. 6, 1904.

R. GUENBTTE. CONVERTIBLE TRUNK.

MPL10. IIIIIIIIII Pn. 27. 1904.

NNNNNNN L. 2 SHEETS-SHEET I Attorneys PATENTED DEG. 6, 1904.

I R. GUENETTE.

CONVERTIBLE TRUNK.

'APPLIGATION FILED 111111.27. w04.

2 SHEETS-BHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

ALE-:n

Witnesses:

Attorneys UNITEDv STATES Patented December 6, 1904..

PATENT OEEIcE.

CONVERTIBLE TRUNK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 776,738, dated December 6, 1904.

Application led April 27, 1904.. Serial No. 205,121. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, REGIS GUnNn'rrE, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at St. Jerome, county of Terrebonnaiin, the Province of Quebec, Canada, have invented certainnew and useful Improvementsin Convertible Trunks; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to new and useful iniprovements in trunks, and especially to the class of trunks which are adapted to be utilized as receptacles into which various articles may be placed during transportation from place to place and which also comprise compartments which are adaptable to use for various purposes when the trunk has reached its destination.

The object of the invention is to produce a cabinet-trunk of the class described wherein a removable upper portion may be utilized in conjunction with the body portion of the trunk, the two comprising, in eifect, a unitary cabinet with a plurality of doors leading' to the several compartments therein.

In the annexed drawings similar' numerals of reference indicate corresponding` parts in all the views, wherein- Figure l is a perspective view of my improved trunk when closed. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the trunk open and set up on end, whereby it is adapted for use as a iiling-cabinet. Fig. 3 is a detached detail view illustrating the manner of supporting the removable shelves in the said cabinet. Fig. 4: is a detail view of an outer shelf or desk portion adapted to be applied, in position between the lower and upper portions of the cabinet when the parts are assembled for use for that purpose.

Referring to the parts, l is the body portion of my improved trunk, provided with the usual straps 2 2 and corner-pieces 3 for reinforcing the same.

i is the upper portion, which is commonly used as the cover for the body portion, which may be connected thereto by means of any suitable hinges or other securing means,

though where hinges are used it is preferred that hinges with ordinary strap sections united by securing-pintles shall be used, so that the pintle portions may be removed for the purpose of readily separating the menibers of the said hinges. The hinges are not shown, owing to the fact that the construction of the hinge is not an essential part of the invention, and such hinges are well known to the trade.

5 is a lock adapted to secure the bodyportion and the top of the trunk together when the trunk is closed.

In the body portion of the trunk are connected, near the top portion thereof when in the position shown in Fig. l and vertically disposed at the outer open portion thereof when the same is in the position shown in Fig. 2, ratchets 6, which may be of metal or any suitable material and adapted to serve as a support for cross supporting-rods 7, which engage with said ratchets and are adapted to support shelves, as 8. (Shown in Figs. 2 and 3.)

For the purpose of closing the lower cabinet-that is, the cabinet formed in the body portion-a door, as 9, is secured in position to the body portion, which door may be permanently, and preferably is permanently, connected with the body portion to form a closure when the trunk is used as a convenience for use in traveling or as a cabinet, as illus trated in Fig. 2.

The top portion of the trunk when removed from its connecting-hinges may be connected with the body portion, as shown in Fig. 2, wherein the shelf l0, provided with the cutaway portion ll and the step 12, is interposed between the body l and top 2, with the cutaway portion ll resting upon and partially surrounding the end strap 2, while the step 12 serves as a support for the top portion 4. in such manner that the strap 2 of said top portion may rest upon the material of the body portion and the lower strap 2 of the body portion serve as a support for the main portion of the top, thereby, notwithstanding the angular-ity of the projections caused by the aforesaid straps, affording a substantially closed contact between the body portion 1 and IOO the top portion 2 when the said members are assembled, as shown in Fig. 2, the shelf 10 projecting over and beyond the body portion 1 to any desired extent, whereby a shelf which may be utilized for writing and other purposes is provided.

Connected with the body portion 1 is a hook 13, adapted to engage with an eyelet 14 upon the cover portion, one of said hooks and eyelets being provided at each side of the trunk when placed in the position indicated in Fig. 2, whereby the said parts may be firmly locked in position, as shown.

rIhe top portion may be provided with the ratchets 6, as shown in Fig. 3, with transversely-extended bars 7 supporting the shelves 15, 16, and 17, if desired, or the said shelves 15, 16, and 17 may be set into the material of the top portion, as may best suit the convenience of the manufacturer and respond to the purposes for which the trunk is to be used. However, a vertically-disposed partition 18 is provided within the top portion, thereby providing a receptacle between said partition 18 and the exterior shell of the top.

It will be evident that a trunk constructed as shown in the drawings may be used, if desired, as an ordinary trunk in which the shelves 8 may be knocked down and placed either in the body of the trunk or removed entirely, and the top portion 4 may be utilized as a cabinet Ywhen desired.

IVhile I have shown in the accompanying drawings the preferred form of my invention, it will be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise form shown, for many of the details may be changed in form or position without affecting the operativeness or utility ofv my invention, and I therefore reserve the right to make all such modifications as are included within the scope of the following' claims or of mechanical equivalents to the structures set forth.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. In a convertible trunk, a body portion, a

top portion, means for connecting the same for use as a trunk, a shelf portion adapted to be interposed between the said body and top portions when assembled for use as a cabinet, and securing means located near the end portions of the said top and body.

2. In a convertible trunk, a top and a body portion, each of which is provided with a plurality of compartments, a shelf portion provided with a cut-away portion adapted to be interposed between said top and body portion, and securing means adapted to unite said por- .tions in position for use as a cabinet.

3. In a convertible trunk, a body portion provided with a plurality of removable shelves and a door or closure therefor, a top portion provided with a plurality of compartments therein, a door or closure therefor, a shelf portion adapted to be interposed between said top and body portions when set up for use as a cabinet, and securing' means therefor.

4i. In a convertible trunk, a body portion provided with a plurality of straps or braces surrounding the same, a top with a strap surrounding said top, compartments in said body and said top portion, and a removable shelf adapted to be interposed between said body and said top portions, said shelf being provided with a. cut-away portion.

5. In a convertible trunk, a body portion providedV with a plurality of compartments therein, the partitions forming said compartments being removable, a door or closure for said body portion, straps on said body portion, a top portion provided with a strap, a shelfl adapted to rest upon said body portion to form a support, and a securing means adapted to connect said body and said top portions, when the body and top portions are united to form a cabinet.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

.REGIS GUENET'IE.

I/Vitnesses:

J. A. MARIVON, ANSELME GUNETTE. 

